Five Statistics: PSL Matchday 24 & CAFCL semi-finals

Orlando Pirates’ title bid took a blow this weekend, after they drew 2-2 away to Richards Bay at a notoriously difficult ground. Kaizer Chiefs’ revival continued to gather pace as they won a fourth straight game. We look at TS Galaxy’s downward spiral and cheer Marumo Gallants as they avoid an unwanted PSL record. Meanwhile, Sundowns continue to fly the South African flag after claiming a historic win in Tunisia. Five Statistics explores the leading statistical narratives from the weekend action.

Pirates secure late draw, but drop crucial points

Winning at Umhlathuze Sports Complex is proving to be a difficult mission for the league’s top sides. In 2026 alone, Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch and now Orlando Pirates have all lost away to Richards Bay. This is made even harder when you allow the hosts to score first. October 2023 is the last time any team came from behind to win away to Richards Bay. Pirates came into this game on the back of 6-0 and 5-0 wins. In both games, they were 3-0 up at half-time, and were able to manage the second half comfortably. It is clear that Pirates perform best when teams are chasing them, not the other way round.

2014 – Pirates have not won a league game they were trailing at half-time away from home since November 2014 (35 instances, D7 L28).

Sundowns fly PSL flag high on the continent

Sundowns took a massive step towards a second successive Champions League final with an away win over Esperance on Sunday night. The Brazilians’ Champions League campaign has been stop-start since the Group stages, and it’s their away form that has been of particular concern. Downs failed to win any of the four away games in the group stages and later. On Sunday night, they reversed that trend in style. The most striking aspect of the performance was their composure – they never looked rattled from the first whistle to the last, even in front of a notoriously hostile crowd. Esperance had a few opportunities, but they did not overrun Sundowns at any point, as they have done in previous meetings.

1 – Sundowns are the first-ever South African team to win an away game against Espérance, with this being the 10th PSL visit there.

Kaizer Chiefs CAF bid strengthened

It has been yet another testing season for Kaizer Chiefs, and four league wins in a row doesn’t necessarily constitute redemption. But when no coach has put together such a run in three years, some respect is deserved for Kaze & Ben Youssef. In isolation, Chiefs’ season has faltered after a promising start. But, put in the context of the last half-decade of under achievement, this has been a decent campaign. Chiefs have already exceeded their points totals from the last two seasons, and there are eight games (24 points) still to play for. At the current rate, this could be their best season in a decade.

1.91 – Chiefs average 1.91 points per game this season, their best ratio since winning the title in 2014/15 (2.3 ppg).

TS Galaxy wobble continues

TS Galaxy’s season can be split into two distinct halves – before and after AFCON. Before the December AFCON break, the Rockets were in 8th position, seven points off the leaders and just four points off a CAF spot. Since then, they have dropped down to 12th, now 31 points off the leaders and 17 off a CAF position. Even a place in the Top 8 is in jeopardy should they continue at this pace. The deep run in the Nedbank Cup has softened the blow for Tim Sukazi, with the final looming large in the club’s history. But one can’t afford to switch on and off for different competitions. Momentum is key heading into finals.

9 – Galaxy are winless in nine league games, their longest winless run under Adnan Beganovic.

Marumo Gallants avoid unwanted PSL record

A first clean sheet of the season may sound like faint praise, but this could prove to be a crucial result for Marumo Gallants in the long run. They didn’t win the game, and remain just two points above Magesi, who anchor the table. By the time Gallants kick off in their next game, they could be behind Magesi. Ironically, this was a game between the two worst defences in the league. Orbit College have conceded 39 goals, with Marumo second on 34. A clean sheet for both, and stopping the leak at the back, is something of an improvement. The relegation battle could be as compelling as the title race.

30 – This was the first time in 30 games and 13 months that Marumo Gallants kept a clean sheet in the league.